Perkutao returns to Blues Alley to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month and the Peruvian Jazz Series. Expect new material, percussion-heavy rhythms, and new dance steps. The lineup features Percy Chinchilla on percussion, Robin Axel, Gabriel Vivas on bass, Josh Jenkins on keys, and Bobby Muncy on sax. Set 1 starts at 19:00, Set 2 starts at 21:00. Tickets available on the artist's profile and Blues Alley website.

Perkutao is a dynamic Afro-Peruvian ensemble founded in 2005 by renowned percussionist, dancer, and educator Percy Chinchilla, alongside percussionist Robin Axel. The group recently relocated from Lima, Peru to the Washington, D.C. area and has exploded on the jazz scene, being featured at clubs such as Blues Alley and Mr. Henry’s. Perkutao’s debut album, Mis Ancestros (“My Ancestors”), produced by acclaimed percussionist Manongo Mujica, is the fourth installment in the celebrated Perspectivas de la Música Afroperuana (Perspectives on Afro-Peruvian Music) series.

Rooted in the rich rhythms of Afro-Peruvian tradition, Perkutao blends Afro-Cuban, Caribbean, and jazz influences, creating a powerful expression of African diasporic culture. The ensemble has toured internationally, captivating audiences with its fusion of traditional sounds and contemporary global music. In 2022, Perkutao joined the legendary Cuban group, Los Muñequitos de Matanzas, to celebrate their 70th anniversary in Matanzas, Cuba. Perkutao has performed numerous times at the National Theater of Peru, including in 2023 to celebrate World Folkore Day. Most recently, Perkutao performed to a near-capacity audience at Blues Alley—one of the most important jazz clubs in the United States—kicking off Hispanic Heritage Month and the Peruvian Jazz Series.

Percy Chinchilla is recognized as one of the world’s foremost practitioners of Afro-Peruvian music and dance. Born and raised in Lima’s culturally vibrant Callejón del Buque in the La Victoria district, he comes from a legendary lineage that includes Afro-Peruvian icons Caitro Soto and Ronaldo Campos. Immersed in this heritage from an early age, Chinchilla won the prestigious Valentina de Oro dance competition at just six years old. By 15, he had earned national acclaim as the winner of Peru’s National Cajón Championship. A former member of the acclaimed ensemble Perú Negro, Chinchilla has performed worldwide with Perkutao and alongside leading figures in Peruvian music such as Eva Ayllón, Cecilia Barraza, and Afroperú. Chinchilla is proudly endorsed by A Tempo Percussion and continues to inspire new generations of percussionists and dancers in Peru and abroad.

Robin Axel is a percussionist and composer who has performed Afro-Peruvian and jazz music professionally for more than 20 years across the U.S. and Asia. He was a core member for 10 years of Nori Company, the East Coast’s premier traditional Korean drumming and dance ensemble based out of New York before relocating to the Washington, D.C. area. He most recently composed for the acclaimed dance performance Untethered and Unseen: The Mysterious Life of Hilma af Klint. He studied musical performance, composition, and ethnomusicology at Wesleyan University, and has toured internationally, performing world music traditions from Peru, Cuba, and Korea.

Co-Presented with the Embassy of Peru

7pm show: https://www.instantseats.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.event&eventID=54AC8DD8-CF5C-6DF7-6ED60ECB5BF57145

9:30pm show: https://www.instantseats.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.event&eventID=54AC8F17-9BCC-1F85-26F71BFD245558E2

With explosive energy and rhythms that you can't help but dance to, Joshua and his ensemble bring you a mix of sounds from the worlds of Latin jazz and the African diaspora. Deeply rooted in the American jazz tradition, but never ceasing to innovate and experiment, Joshua leans on influences from Brazil, Cuba, West Africa and the French Caribbean, among others. Listen as he and the band perform a mix of original compositions as well as songs from around the world.

Joshua Jenkins - piano

Domenic Lewis - steel pan

Jonas Yolo - bass

Joey Antico - drums

Concert is free and open to the public!

With explosive energy and rhythms that you can't help but dance to, Joshua and his ensemble bring you a mix of sounds from the worlds of Latin jazz and the African diaspora. Deeply rooted in the American jazz tradition, but never ceasing to innovate and experiment, Joshua leans on influences from Brazil, Cuba, West Africa and the French Caribbean, among others. Listen as he and the band perform a mix of original compositions as well as songs from around the world.

Joshua Jenkins - piano

Victor Provost - steel pan

Jonas Yolo - bass

Joey Antico - drums

Beginning May 23 - September 5, 2026, the Summer Music Series in collaboration with composer Alistair Coleman will feature 16 performances featuring a lineup of musicians bridging the ideas and sounds found in America.  

Inspired by Glenstone’s exhibition, Ties of our common kindred(opens in a new tab), which commemorates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Summer Music Series will include performances ranging from jazz, folk, and bluegrass to Chinese dulcimer, electro-acoustic strings, steelpan, Indian classical music, and much more.  

Performances will be Saturday evenings from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at the Patio. All performances are outdoors and free. Performances may be delayed or canceled due to weather. Glenstone will monitor weather closely (summer storms are unpredictable!) and notify visitors in advance of a cancelation when possible. Canceled performances will not be rescheduled. 

With explosive energy and rhythms that you can't help but dance to, Joshua and his ensemble bring you a mix of sounds from the worlds of Latin jazz and the African diaspora. Deeply rooted in the American jazz tradition, but never ceasing to innovate and experiment, Joshua leans on influences from Brazil, Cuba, West Africa and the French Caribbean, among others. Listen as he and the band perform a mix of original compositions as well as songs from around the world.

Event page: https://www.glenstone.org/summer-music-series

Tickets are $25 and available for purchase on NEPC’s website:

https://www.nepc-dc.org/

Personnel:

Emerson Borg - trumpet

Kevin Kearney - drums

Tyson Femister - bass

Joshua Jenkins - piano

Jazz, Samba, Cumbia, Bolero, Son, and more! Live music from our quintet to accompany delicious Latin-inspired cuisine and drinks.

Jazz, Samba, Cumbia, Bolero, Son, and more! Live music from our quintet to accompany delicious Latin-inspired cuisine and drinks.

Joshua Jenkins directs the Choir from the piano, performing multiple selections during each service.

Jazz, Samba, Cumbia, Bolero, Son, and more! Live music from our quintet to accompany delicious Latin-inspired cuisine and drinks.

Joshua Jenkins Quartet at Révéler

Event Page:

https://www.revelerexperiences.com/event/joshua-jenkins-quartet

With explosive energy and rhythms that you can't help but dance to, Joshua and his ensemble bring you a mix of sounds from the worlds of Latin jazz and the African diaspora. Deeply rooted in the American jazz tradition, but never ceasing to innovate and experiment, Joshua leans on influences from Brazil, Cuba, West Africa and the French Caribbean, among others. Listen as he and the band perform a mix of original compositions as well as songs from around the world. 

Tickets:

7pm set

https://www.instantseats.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.event&eventID=EE4A7684-064F-D560-0C822FC623CC9C9D

9:30pm set

https://www.instantseats.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.event&eventID=EE4A77A4-B3AF-01C4-0A7F768A080DD2E1

A Global Jazz & Soul Summit: Joshua Jenkins (USA) & Cheikh Ibra Fam (Senegal)

A boundary-dissolving collaboration that traverses continents, traditions, and languages, features two phenomenal multi-instrumentalists: the versatile Joshua Jenkins and the Senegalese Afropop artist Cheikh Ibra Fam. This special joint concert is a convergence of global sounds, presenting original works from both artists, including an exclusive preview of music from Fam’s highly anticipated sophomore album, Adouna (Life) (which translates to "Life" in Wolof), set for release on the Cumbancha label in April 2026.

Joshua Jenkins has been playing the piano since he was seven years old, and began performing in public at the age of twelve. A proud alum of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, D.C., he holds a Bachelor’s of Music from Temple University, where he studied classical Piano Performance. Alongside fellow Ellington students, he performed on stage at the Kennedy Center and Strathmore Music Center with artists such as Ledisi, Patti LaBelle, and Sting. While studying in Philadelphia, he gave various classical solo and chamber recitals, and worked with several jazz ensembles. Joshua was the Jazz Ensemble Director of CAAPA (the Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts) from 2018 to 2020. As a graduate of the Strathmore Artist in Residence (AIR) program for the 2022-2023 season, he continues to have a strong relationship with that institution and its stunning array of talent. As either headliner or sideman, Joshua has performed multiple times at DC-area venues such as Blues Alley, Bossa, Jojo, Strathmore, Signature Theatre, and others.

Cheikh Ibra Fam brings the rich musical tapestry of Senegal to the stage. Having sung spiritual songs in the Baye Fall tradition, absorbed Afro-Cuban rhythms on the home stereo, and studied music at the Accademia Musicale di Treviglio in Milan, Italy, he possesses a unique blend of heritage and formal training. After spending six years with the legendary Orchestra Baobab, his solo work (as heard on his RFI Talent-recognized album Peace in Africa) fuses Afropop with infectious elements of funk, jazz, soul, and roots music. His global appeal is further demonstrated by Putumayo World Music, which has selected tracks from both his first album and his upcoming sophomore album for inclusion in their celebrated compilation releases. Now based in Réunion Island, Fam's musical journey promises a compelling blend of African tradition and modern global sounds.

They are joined by a powerful band that represents their unique mix of innovation and tradition and the spirit of Africa and its Diaspora.

Joshua Jenkins directs the Choir from the piano, performing multiple selections during each service.

Jazz, Samba, Cumbia, Bolero, Son, and more! Live music from our quintet to accompany delicious Latin-inspired cuisine and drinks.

https://westminsterdc.org/jazz-night-in-dc-schedule

Outside of a sixteen-month hiatus from early 2020 to mid-2021, when the COVID-19 pandemic pushed the pause button on live performances around the globe, Jazz Night has, since 1999, offered three hours of classic jazz on Friday nights featuring, almost exclusively, artists based in the D.C. and Baltimore metro regions.

Marcia Baird Burris, vocals

Joshua Jenkins, piano

Reginald Cyntje, trombone

Victor Provost, steel pan

James King, bass

Greg Holloway, drums

Joshua Jenkins directs the Choir from the piano, performing multiple selections during each service.

Jazz, Samba, Cumbia, Bolero, Son, and more! Live music from our quintet to accompany delicious Latin-inspired cuisine and drinks.

This is event is free and open to the public.

Event page:

https://www.strathmore.org/nurturing-artists/maryland-classic-youth-orchestras/north-county-strings/

The culmination of North County Strings & Percussion: A Latin Music Initiative brings together students from participating middle schools on the Concert Hall stage to showcase the skills and confidence gained through this new music education program. 

Modeled after the successful Bloom by Strathmore program, East County Strings, this in-depth initiative places professional instrumentalists in participating northern Montgomery County middle schools to teach Latin music to students. 

Participating Schools include (subject to change): 

• John Poole Middle School 
• Montgomery Village Middle School 
• Redland Middle School  
• Shady Grove Middle School 

This program is made possible in part through the generous support of the following institutions: Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, Dr. Cyrus Katzen Foundation, and Nora Roberts Foundation.

Strathmore is also grateful for the many individuals, corporations, and foundations who provide vital funding for our Bloom programs, ensuring access for all.

North County Strings is part of Bloom By Strathmore, making the arts accessible to all.  

Jazz, Samba, Cumbia, Bolero, Son, and more! Live music from our quintet to accompany delicious Latin-inspired cuisine and drinks.

Joshua Jenkins directs the Choir from the piano, performing multiple selections during each service.

Jazz, Samba, Cumbia, Bolero, Son, and more! Live music from our quintet to accompany delicious Latin-inspired cuisine and drinks.

Joshua Jenkins and Friends will be performing a 40-minute set at the Grandview Stage as part of this amazing community event.

Event Description:

Everybody loves a funky Arts Parade

You can be part of it! Make some art and join us. On this day, everyone can be an artist. Just push, pull, carry, wear or perform your art! You can walk alone or as a group -- as a family and neighbors, as a community organization, as a school or business. You can dress like a famous work of art or artist. You can walk with your kids and show off their art. You can decorate your bikes and strollers. The most important thing is to have fun. If you can't walk in the parade, find a spot along the parade route to cheer the bands, dance groups, artists, and large floats as they parade around the Wheaton triangle to the Marian Fryer Town Plaza at 2424 Reedie Drive, Wheaton, MD 20902. The parade starts at 10am. Don't miss it or you'll have to wait until next year to see this unique event in the DMV.

It's a festival of visual art

This year the festival will expand to include Parking Lot 13 and more of Grandview Ave with an additional 20x24ft stage and dance floor, more booths for art vendors, more food vendors and a second Kids’ Zone with free face painting, balloon twisting and art making. The festival area opens at 10am with artists displaying and selling their original work; community organizations and county agencies with art making and giveaways.

3 Stages of non-stop entertainment​

The afternoon features MoCo's top talent, including musicians presented by Strathmore and Carpe Diem Arts, showcases

by local schools and dance companies galore from ballet to hip hop. The entertainment is as diverse as the Wheaton community, from Latin rhythms to rock and roll. Click here see who is on the program. 

Joshua Jenkins directs the Choir from the piano, performing multiple selections during each service.

Jazz, Samba, Cumbia, Bolero, Son, and more! Live music from our quintet to accompany delicious Latin-inspired cuisine and drinks.

Jazz, Samba, Cumbia, Bolero, Son, and more! Live music from our quintet to accompany delicious Latin-inspired cuisine and drinks.

With explosive energy and rhythms that you can't help but dance to, Joshua and his ensemble bring you a mix of sounds from the worlds of Latin jazz and the African diaspora. Deeply rooted in the American jazz tradition, but never ceasing to innovate and experiment, Joshua leans on influences from Brazil, Cuba, West Africa and the French Caribbean, among others. Listen as he and the band perform a mix of original compositions as well as songs from around the world. 

To purchase tickets, go to takomastation.com

Jazz, Samba, Cumbia, Bolero, Son, and more! Live music from our quintet to accompany delicious Latin-inspired cuisine and drinks.